Single trip coiled tubing conveyed electronic submersible pump and packer deployment system and method

ABSTRACT

A single trip coiled tubing conveyed Electronic Submersible Pump and packer deployment system including, a power coiled tubing string, an Electronic Submersible Pump (ESP) connected to the coiled tubing, and an interventionless packer operably connected to the ESP prior to running in a borehole. A method for deploying an Electronic Submersible Pump (ESP) including assembling an ESP to a length compensating device which itself is assembled to an interventionless packer together on a powered coiled tubing, running the assemblage to a target depth, and setting the packer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of an earlier filing date from U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/399,108 filed Sep. 23, 2016 theentire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference

BACKGROUND

In the downhole industry, there are many impediments to profitability.Often those have to do with the cost of running tools, completions,drilling operations, etc. As one of skill in the art will be painfullyaware, rigs carry significant cost and in general many runs are neededbetween the identification of where to drill and bringing the completedwell on production. Every run dramatically increases the costs. The arthas therefore in some cases attempted to accomplish certain activitiesin a single run or fewer runs than had been done prior to thedevelopment. In some cases these efforts yield fruit but in many, theinterest in reducing runs does not result in an ability to do so simplybecause of complicating factors that have not been overcome. Sinceprofitability continues to be and likely always will be an existentialconcern for businesses, the art will continue to search forimprovements.

SUMMARY

A single trip coiled tubing conveyed Electronic Submersible Pump andpacker deployment system including, a power coiled tubing string, anElectronic Submersible Pump (ESP) connected to the coiled tubing, and aninterventionless packer operably connected to the ESP prior to runningin a borehole.

A method for deploying an Electronic Submersible Pump (ESP) includingassembling an ESP to a length compensating device which itself isassembled to an interventionless packer together on a powered coiledtubing, running the assemblage to a target depth, and setting thepacker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way.With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numberedalike:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system as disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the system of FIG. 1 further including ashort hop communications subsystem.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an alternate embodiment utilizing adifferent interventionless packer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosedapparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification andnot limitation with reference to the Figures.

Coiled tubing is a well-used configuration for accessing boreholes buthas always had some drawbacks such as lack of power. Newer technologyrelated to coiled tubing allows for the coiled tubing to carry power inaddition to its tried and true functionality. Since running Coiledtubing does not require a rig, operations that rely on coiled tubinginstead of pipe can be undertaken for lower cost.

A particularly advantageous arrangement of components configured by theinventors hereof that reduces cost and time is a single trip coiledtubing conveyed Electronic Submersible Pump and packer deployment system10 and method as disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 1, the system 10 includes a powered coiled tubingstring 12 such as a Baker Hughes Incorporated Telecoil™ string. Upon thecoiled tubing string is mounted (from more uphole to more downhole inultimate location) an Electronic Submersible Pump (ESP) 14 followed by alength compensating device 16 such as a polished bore receptacle (PBR)followed by an interventionless packer 18. These components are all runtogether in a single trip. The ESP 14 having been stabbed into the PBR16 at the surface (at a manufacturing location or in the field in someinstances).

The packer 18 is an interventionless packer because means of setting apacker below an ESP through traditional intervention could beproblematic due to inhibition of flow through the ESP 14 and downholeperforations that may exist in the borehole both of which limit theoperator's ability to pressure up in order to set a packer in such alocation. In particular, some embodiments of packer 18 include anelectronic trigger 20 including temperature and time features or bycommand (wired or wireless). For temperature (temperature sensor 25) andor time (timer 26) features, the packer will time out and set after acertain temperature has been reached. Alternatively, the time may simplybe set long enough to allow for placement. Other triggers are alsocontemplated. “By command” type triggers require that a signal be sentto the packer trigger 24 from surface or from some other location. Asnoted, these may be wired or wireless signals. It is to be understoodthat these types of interventionless packers are offered as examplesonly and not limitations. In some cases, the electronic trigger allowshydrostatic fluid to access a previously atmospherically balance pistonto experience a pressure differential thereby causing the piston toexert work on another component thereby setting the packer.

Referring to wireless configurations, it is contemplated to use longeror short hop communication methods. While wireless methods might involvesignals emanating from surface, it is also contemplated that as in FIG.2, a short hop controller 22 might be operably connected to the coiledtubing 12 near the ESP 14 and provide a wireless signal hop to areceiver 24 on the packer.

In other embodiments, referring to FIG. 3, self setting packers 28 suchas swell packers, shape memory packers, or similar may be employed.REPackers commercially available from Baker Hughes Incorporated may beemployed as interventionless packers to set upon experiencing theappropriate conditions downhole such as temperature, chemical makeup offluid in contact therewith, etc.

The system facilitates single trip deployment of an ESP and packerwithout requiring the normal spaceout after landing of the packer. Thesystem further allows for retrieval of the ESP without removal of thepacker and allows for removal of the packer as well if necessary.

The method for deploying an ESP in a borehole includes assembling an ESP14, to a length compensating device 16, which itself is assembled to aninterventionless packer 18 together on a powered coiled tubing 12. Theentire assemblage is run into a borehole on the coiled tubing 12 totarget depth and the interventionless packer set by temperatureachievement, time passage, chemical reaction (reactive packers) command,etc. The coiled tubing 12 provide power for the ESP and the well may bebrought on production.

Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:

Embodiment 1: A single trip coiled tubing conveyed ElectronicSubmersible Pump and packer deployment system including a power coiledtubing string, an Electronic Submersible Pump (ESP) connected to thecoiled tubing, and an interventionless packer operably connected to theESP prior to running in a borehole.

Embodiment 2: The system as in any prior embodiment further comprising alength compensating device operably connected between the ESP and theinterventionless packer.

Embodiment 3: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the deviceis a Polished Bore Receptacle (PBR).

Embodiment 4: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein theinterventionless packer is an electrically triggered packer.

Embodiment 5: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein theelectrically triggered packer includes a timer.

Embodiment 6: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein theelectrically triggered packer includes a temperature sensor.

Embodiment 7: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein theinterventionless packer is triggered by command.

Embodiment 8: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the commandis through wired means.

Embodiment 9: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the commandis through wireless means.

Embodiment 10: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein thewireless means is short hop.

Embodiment 11: A method for deploying an Electronic Submersible Pump(ESP) including assembling an ESP to a length compensating device whichitself is assembled to an interventionless packer together on a poweredcoiled tubing, running the assemblage to a target depth, and setting thepacker.

Embodiment 12: The method as in any prior embodiment further includingrunning the ESP.

Embodiment 13: The method as in any prior embodiment wherein the settingincludes sending a signal.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. Further, it should further be noted that the terms “first,”“second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, orimportance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive ofthe stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., itincludes the degree of error associated with measurement of theparticular quantity).

The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of welloperations. These operations may involve using one or more treatmentagents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, awellbore, and/or equipment in the wellbore, such as production tubing.The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids,semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agentsinclude, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water,brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drillingmuds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc.Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulicfracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steaminjection, water flooding, cementing, etc.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplaryembodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substitutedfor elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention.In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particularsituation or material to the teachings of the invention withoutdeparting from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intendedthat the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosedas the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but thatthe invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope ofthe claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have beendisclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specificterms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in ageneric and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation,the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited.

What is claimed is:
 1. A single trip coiled tubing conveyed ElectronicSubmersible Pump and packer deployment system comprising: a power coiledtubing string; an Electronic Submersible Pump (ESP) connected to thecoiled tubing; and an interventionless packer operably connected to theESP prior to running in a borehole.
 2. The system as claimed in claim 1,further comprising a length compensating device operably connectedbetween the ESP and the interventionless packer.
 3. The system asclaimed in claim 2 wherein the device is a Polished Bore Receptacle(PBR).
 4. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the interventionlesspacker is an electrically triggered packer.
 5. The system as claimed inclaim 4 wherein the electrically triggered packer includes a timer. 6.The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electrically triggeredpacker includes a temperature sensor.
 7. The system as claimed in claim1 wherein the interventionless packer is triggered by command.
 8. Thesystem as claimed in claim 7 wherein the command is through wired means.9. The system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the command is throughwireless means.
 10. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein thewireless means is short hop.
 11. A method for deploying an ElectronicSubmersible Pump (ESP) comprising: assembling an ESP to a lengthcompensating device which itself is assembled to an interventionlesspacker together on a powered coiled tubing; running the assemblage to atarget depth; and setting the packer.
 12. The method as claimed in claim11 further including running the ESP.
 13. The method as claimed in claim11 wherein the setting includes sending a signal.